I’ve got to remind myself from time to time that God loves the people who get on my nerves. He loves people who take too many items through the express lane at the grocery store; the people who take two parking spaces in a crowded parking lot; the people who drive much too slow or much too fast; the people who are rude, and on and on.
If I don’t remind myself that God loves them, I get upset with them. Then, I’m tempted to treat them with contempt or condescension. That’s not a pretty thing. I don’t think those are attitudes that Jesus would have.
I suppose we all struggle with this to some extent, but there is no room in the kingdom of God for such condescension on any level. When we look down our nose at other people, we make God unhappy because we are looking down our nose at someone for whom Jesus Christ died.
People are very important to God, so they should be important to us, too. We must treat them in the way Jesus treats them-with respect, love, and mercy, even when they get under our skin.
On one occasion, Jesus warned His followers not to disrespect little children, who represent the weakest, the least, and the lowliest people in life. He said, “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10 NIV) Obviously, Jesus doesn’t want us to look down on anyone, because every person matters to God, even the smallest child.
The Father is not willing that anyone should be lost, regardless of who they are, including you and me. In turn, we should value them the same way. We should demonstrate our respect for others in the way we treat them and in the way we speak to them.
So, let’s model Christian respect toward others, particularly the least, the lowliest, and the weakest. Let’s value human lives the way Jesus does.
Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Phil